Table and top with petal-simulating sections



Jan. 15, 1963 M. R. SCHULTZ 3,073,660

TABLE AND TOP WITH FETAL-SIMULATING SECTIONS Filed 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 7 l f 5 7 "K INV EN TOR. M0565 fife/20rd Schu/fz "MM-M Jan. 15, 1963 M. R. SCHULTZ TABLE AND TOP WITH FETAL-SIMULATING SECTIONS Filed Feb. 31 1961 2 Sheet$-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR. M0565 R/ChcIrc/SC/w/IZ La/u W. m

Attorney Efififihil Patented Jan. 15, 1983 3,073,660 TABLE AND T? WITH PETAL-dlih XULATHNG SETION Moses Richard Schultz, Barto, Pm, assignor to Knoll Associates, line, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 86,749 '7 Claims. (til. 311-401) This invention relates to an article of furniture and more especially to a table. The invention more particularly relates to a table of the type having a central column supported by a base and supporting the table top, such tables being used as side tables or coffee tables or for other purposes.

Tables having a base supporting a central column to which adjacent the upper end of the column is secured a table top have been made in various constructions to provide a table which is stable but which is free from the obstruction of supporting legs disposed about the periphery of the table top. Both from the standpoint of utility for various purposes, such as a side table or a coffee table, as well as from the standpoint of design, such a construction utilizing a central column in many cases is advantageous, especially in tables that have a generally circular top and a suitable base which makes it possible to position the table in relation to the wall or to adjacent furniture without the necessity of properly orienting the supporting structure as would be the case if legs disposed adjacent the periphery of the table were utilized. From the standpoint of design also the appearance of a table having a central column and having a base providing the requisite rigid support of the column but occupying a relatively small amount of height above the floor, the column and base supporting the table top without extensive structure appearing below the top, is significant in many cases.

A table utilizing a central column for which the in- Vention is especially suitable is one which utilizes a table top in the design of a flower and having elements of petal-form disposed adjacent the upper portion of the column in successively adjacent relation to each other about the axis of the column, the elongated petal defining edges of these petal-form elements extending transversely of the axis of the column in radial relation thereto. In order additionally to characterize the design in this table, these elongated edges of the petal-form elements are separated from the edges of the adjacent petalform elements by narrow spaces. The petal-form elements of the flower simulating assembly of the design to which reference is made, and which is the subject of design application No. D. 58,894, filed January 4, 1960, now Design Patent 190,998, issued August 1, 1961, may have their outer peripheral edges which extend about the axis of arcuate form, preferably circular upon the axis of the column with suitable rounding or other contouring of the corners and of the outer edge surfaces for bringing out the desired design effect. One of the problems met in the construction of such a table is that of supporting the petal-form elements so as to secure the flower simulating design in a table in which the top is an assembly of a plurality of petal-form elements requiring to be rigidly supported on the column, the whole being supported on a suitable base, without interfering with the design effect.

It is an object of the invention to provide a table construction which utilizes a plurality of petal-form elements in an assembly to provide a table top in which the petal-form elements are supported securely in the assembly.

it is another object of the invention to provide a supporting means, itself supported adjacent the upper end of the column extending upwardly from the base, such that the assembly of petal-form elements forming the table top provides a generally continuous upper surface of the table top separated into the petal-form elements by narrow spaces.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a structure for supporting the table top which is disposed beneath the assembly of the petal-form elements and securely holds these elements in place without interfering with the spaced relation of the elements.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a structure of the type to which reference has been made in which the petal-form elements may be readily attached to the supporting means and in such a manner as to prevent tilting movement of the petal-form elements out of their position in the assembly.

The supporting means of the invention to which reference has been made provides means individual to and disposed beneath the respective petal-form elements, this means providing parts which respectively are in supporting engagement with portions of the superposed element. Certain of these portions of each element are disposed in spaced relation about the axis of the column and outwardly in relation to this axis with respect to another portion of the petal-form element which is disposed inwardly toward the axis. The supporting means may be provided by arms which are supported by the column adjacent the upper portion thereof and extend outwardly therefrom, these arms respectively being dis posed beneath and supporting the petal-form elements and each providing the parts which are in engagement with the corresponding portions of the superposed petalform element in the manner to which reference has been made.

As will be understood more clearly from the description taken in connection with the drawing, each of the arms may comprise a section which is disposed inwardly toward and is rigidly secured to the column, as, for example, by integral connection to a hub secured to the column, and a section disposed outwardly from the column with respect to and rigidly secured to the inner section. The outer section of the arm provides the two outwardly disposed parts respectively in engagement with the two portions of the superposed petal-form element that are spaced about the axis of the column. The arm also provides the inwardly disposed part in engagement with the inwardly disposed portion of the petal-form element. These three parts may be generally in a plane disposed transversely of, ordinarily perpendicular to, the axis of the column and all of the parts of all of the arms which are utilized for supporting the assembly of petalforrn elements forming the table top may be disposed in this plane. Each petal-form element being provided correspondingly with three portions which are engaged by the three parts of the arm which supports it, all of these portions of all of the elements may be disposed generally in the transverse plane. Means are provided for securing the petal-form elements to the arms adjacent the portibns thereof which are engaged by the respective parts of the arms, in order securely to hold each petal-form element to the arm above which it is disposed. The provision of these three places of secure engagement for each petal-form element ensures against tilting of the petalform elements in any direction with respect to the arms and to the column. This construction makes it possible to support the petal-form elements in the assembly without utilizing means connecting adjacent petal-form elements to each other along their spaced elongated edges, that is, along the edges thereof which extend generally transversely of the axis, so that the design effect is maintained of the petals of the flower separated by the narrow unobstructed spaces.

For the purposes of stability and rigidity the plurality of arms which are disposed beneath the assembly of petal-form elements may be such as to form a rigid spider, the arms extending outwardly from a hub portion carried on the column and in such relation thereto as to provide, if desired, design features in the element supporting means. The objects and features of the construction of the invention to which reference has been made and others will be more clearly unde stood from the description of the drawing to follow in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical section of the table of the invention in one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2--2 of *iG. 1 showing a view of the under side of the table top;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of FIG. 1 showing a top view of the base;

FIG. 4 shows in elevation a modification of the table of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing a view of the under side of the table top;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG. 5.

As will be understood from a consideration more especiaily of FIGS. 2 and 5, the table of the invention comprises generally triangular elements which are contoured to resemble the petals of a fiower, these elements being assembled in adjacent relation to each other about the axis of the central column of the table and separated from each other by narrow spaces which are significant in the flower simulating design of the table top.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the petal-form elements 1 that are of generally triangular form are provided with outer edge surfaces 3 at the base of the triangle that are of arcuate form about the axis of the column. The elongated edges 5' which extend generally radially with respect to the axis of the column are connected to the arcuate edges 3 by arcs which may be circular in the plane parallel to the top surface 7 of the table top. As will be seen in FIG. 1, in this embodiment the bottom surface 9 of each petal-form element is parallel to its top surface 5, each petal also being provided with a surface 11 sloping upwardly from the bottom surface 9 and outwardly to the outer arcuate edge surface 3 to which the surface 11 is tangentially joined, the edge surface 3 being tangentially joined to the top surface 7. The surface 11 itself is of arcuate contour about the axis of the column and intersects the planar surface 9 of the petal-form element in an outline 13, as may be seen in PEG. 2. The surfaces of the petal-form elements thus contribute to the designs in the petal-form element and in the table top, which designs do not form part of the present invention, it being possible to utilize other design effects.

In a table of the character to which the invention relates the table top of which is constituted by a plurality of petal-form elements 1 disposed in an assembly about the axis of a central column and so that the elongated generally radial edges 5 of these petal-form elements in adjacent elements are separated by a narrow space 15, the invention provides for support of the petal-form elements without obstructing the narrow spaces and without connecting elements disposed between the adjacent elements or adjacent the elongated edges thereof. By virtue of the narrow spaces 15, moreover, the apex of each generally triangular petal-form element may be disposed close to the axis of the column 17 of the table so that, as viewed from the top, a central hole 18 of only relatively small diameter is formed in the general table top surface 7, this hole being coaxial with the axis of the column. The general table top surface 7 is planar in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and perpendicular to the axis of the column, all of the upper surfaces 8 of the petal-form elements being disposed in this plane.

In order to support the petal-form elements 1 in the disposition described to form the assembly which provides the table top, in accordance with the inventiton a supporting means is disposed below the table top, this supporting means engaging, for each petal-form element, portions thereof that are disposed in spaced relation about the axis of the column and outwardly in relation to this axis with respect to another portion of the petal-form element disposed inwardly toward the axis. The supporting means disposed beneath the assembly provides parts that respectively are in supporting engagement with the portions of the superposed petal-form elements. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the supporting means takes the form of a spider 19 providing a plurality of arms respectively disposed below the petal-form elements. In this embodiment there are eight petal-form elements and correspondingly eight arms having inner sections 21 extending transversely of the axis of the column 17. The spider 19 provides a central hub portion 23 which is secured to a stub shaft 25 provided at its ends with annular ridges 27 spaced along the axis by annular grooves 29. This grooved end of the stub shaft may be cast in the hub 23 in one method of manufacture. The outer surface of the stub shaft 25 engages the inner surface of the column 17 which in this embodiment is tubular. The stub shaft is provided at its lower end with a threaded hole 31 into which is screwed the upper threaded end of a tie rod 33.

The tie rod is disposed within the hollow column and at its lower end extends down through a bushing 35 which is secured as by a drive fit in the hub 37 of a base having eight legs 39 of suitable design, these legs 39 being integrally connected to the hub 37 and extending outwardly therefrom to provide a rigid base. The outer surface of the bushing 35 engages the inner surface of the column 17. The tie rod 33 extends through an opening 41 in the hub 37 of the base, a nut 43 threaded on the lower end of the tie rod 33 engaging the bottom surface on the hub 37 adjacent the opening 41. The lower end surface of the hub 23 of the spider 19 engages the upper end of the tubular column 17. It will be understood that, by turning the nut 43 on the lower threaded end of tie rod 33, the base will be drawn toward the spider with the upper surface of the hub 37 in abutment with the lower end of the column 17 as the lower surface of hub 23 is brought into abutment with the upper end of the column. A rigid structure thus is provided holding the column 17 in the vertical position with the spider 19 rigidly mounted on the upper end of the column.

The spider 19, as may be seen in FIG. 2, further provides for each petal-form element outer sections or fingers 45 which extend outwardly from the inner section 21 in relation to the column. In this embodiment the inner section 21 of each arm of the spider is disposed in generally radial relation to the column but extends therefrom upwardly and outwardly toward the under surface 9 of the table top. For each petal-form element from the outer end of the section 21 the outer sections or fingers 45 are branched at either side of the radial plane in which the inner section 21 is disposed. The outer ends of the outer sections 4-5 are provided with pads or bosses 47 that are disposed in spaced relation about the axis of the column and in engagement with correspond ing outwardly disposed and spaced portions of the superposed petal-form element 1. In this embodiment adjacent the intersection of the inner arm section 21 with both of the branched outer arm sections 45 the arm also pro vides another part 49 which is in engagement with a portion of the under surface 9 of the superposed petal-form element that is disposed inwardly toward the axis of the column. Each of the pads or bosses 47 is secured to the superposed petal-form element 1 by a screw 51 of suitable type to enter and securely engage the material of the element 1. The part 49 of the arm structure for each element is secured to the petal-form element by another similar screw 53.

It will be seen from FIG. 1 that the parts of the arm structure which provide the bosses 47 and the part 49 and which extend about the screws 51, 53 have their upper surfaces in the same plane, that is, perpendicular to the axis of the column, and that in this embodiment this plane is the plane of the under surface 9 of the petal-form elements. Thus, all of the surfaces of the parts that are provided on the supporting means provide surfaces in the common plane perpendicular to the axis and the corresponding engaged portions of all of the elements supported in the assembly are in this plane. Each of the petal-form elements thus is securely held in the desired position corresponding to the petal of the simulated flower and with the narrow spaces between the adjacent elements along their elongated generally radial edges without obstructing these spaces. The support provided in the manner described ensures against displacement or removal of each of the petal-form elements and against tilting of such elements upon any line extending outwardly of and transverse to the axis along the element, as well as against tilting upon any line transverse to this outwardly'extending line. The desired design effect thus is secured of a flower simulating table top composed of a plurality of petalform elements and which may have a generally planar upper surface divided into petal-simulating portions, these elements being separated by the unobstructed narrow spaces, no supporting means being necessary connecting the petal-form elements adjacent or along the elongated generally radial edges of the petal-form elements.

As above mentioned, the supporting means of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the form of a spider may be provided with a central hub 23 with which the arms 21, 45 are cast integrally. These arms may provide flat planar surfaces at the upper side thereof that engage the lower planar surface 9 of the superposed element 1. The inner sections 21, however, may slope upwardly from the hub 23 to the parts 49 which are integral with the respective sections 21 and with the branched sections 45 for design efiect and also to provide space between the upper surface of the hub 23 and the under surface 9 of each element at the apex of the element adjacent the axis of the column, in order that any material which may drop through the central opening 18 or through the narrow spaces 15 may not build up above the hub 23 and in order that itmay easily be removed. Where the table is to be used out of doors and is made of material suitable for exposure to the weather, the narrow spaces make it possible for rain water to pass therethrough as it runs ofi the table top. The cross section of the arms is of truncated form with the narrow base portion disposed downwardly as may be seen in FIG. 6. The branched sections 45 may be joined to the inner sections 21 of the arm by suitable fillets and curved surfaces as also may be the pads or bosses 47. Other contours than that shown in FIG. 2 may be utilized while providing the three parts on each arm of the spider engaged corre- 'spondingly with three portions of the superposed element securely to hold the element in the position simu' lating the petal of the flower. 1

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 is shown another embodiment of the invention in which a supporting structure is provided for supporting the petal--form elements I in an assembly about the axis of the column 61. In this embodiment also the petal-form elements each provide a planar upper surface 8 and a lower planar surface 9 The petal-form elements also have outer arcuate edge surfaces 3, similarly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, and are separated from the adjacent petal-form elements by narrow spaces 15. The column 61 is of tubular form and at its lower end may be mounted on a base 63 generally in the manner which has been described in connection with FIG. 1 or in any other suitable manner. Adjacent the top of the column 61 may be disposed a hub 65 engaged by a nut 67 threaded on the upper end of a rod 69, FIG. 7, which extends downwardly through the column and carries a nut or other means at its lower end for engagement with the hub portion of the base 63, so that the hub 65 of the top supporting structure and the base 63 may be drawn into secure and rigid engagement with the column 61 at the respective ends thereof.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 for each or" the petal-form elements 1 two members or bars 71 extend beneath the element and upwardly and outwardly from the hub 65 toward the lower surface 9 of the petal-form elements, as may be seen in FIG. 7 which is a section through the axis of the column. Rigidly secured to the outer end portions of the bars 71 by welding or other means for each element a plate 73 is provided having a flat upper surface in engagement with the lower surface 9 of the superposed element. This plate provides parts that are spaced apart about the axis of the column and outwardly with respect to a third part which is disposed inwardly toward the column and in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 between the outer end portions of the two bars '71. These outer spaced parts of the plate 73 are secured by fasteners 75 suitably engaging the material of the superposed element 1 at the outer portions thereof and the inner part of the plate '73 is secured by a fastener 77 to the inner portion of the superposed petal-form element. The bars '71 are rigidly connected to the hub 65 of the supporting structure being described and, having regard to the rigid connection of the bars to the plate 73, it will be understood that each of the elements 1 is secured against displacement and against tilting upon any line of tilting movement similarly to the elements of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. This structure, as with that of FIGS. 1 and 2, provides not only a rigid support for the assembly of petal-form elements in the flower simulating arrangement but, as with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, may contribute to the design effect by virtue of the form and configuration of the parts and the relation of these parts or" the structure or of the spider with its arms and inner and outer sections or fingers, FIGS. 1 and 2, and the plates and bars, FIGS. 4 and 5.

In either embodiment, while providing the rigid and secure support for the petal--form elements as described, the invention ensures that the supporting means shall not interfere with the flower like appearance of the table top and its support as if on the upper end of a flower stem. The supporting structure may be made to suggest or to simulate the calyx of the flower, if desired, with the part of the calyx structures disposed away from the petal edges of the open flower. To this end the parts of the supporting means that engage the portions of the petal--form elements are disposed away from the edges of the petal-form elements.

It will be understood that variations in the form of the petal-form elements and of the form of the spider may be made while providing for each element a pinrality of outwardly disposed parts of the supporting means that engage corresponding portions of the superposed petal-form element and an inwardly disposed part of the supporting means that engages a corresponding inwardly disposed portion of the superposed petal-form element to securely hold the petal-form element in place. Variations in form and size of the parts may be made within the scope of the invention for the purpose of securing design effects or to be suitable for tables of different size and height while maintaining the features of the petal-form element supporting means which have been described. All such variations are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A table having a base, a column supported by said base with the axis of the column extending upwardly from said base, a plurality of separate petal-form elements disposed adjacent the upper portion of the column with their elongated petal defining edges extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, said elements being disposed in successively adjacent rela- 1? tion to each other about said axis to form an assembly as a table top, each of said petal-form elements of said assembly along its elongated edges being separated from the adjacent petal-form elements by narrow unobstructed spaces extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, arms respectively disposed beneath the respective petal-form elements in said assembly, each of said arms comprising an outer section providing two outwardly disposed parts spaced about said axis and a third part spaced inwardly of said two parts towards said axis, said three parts of said outer section being disposed generally in a plane transverse to said axis of said column, each of said arms also providing an inner section rigidly connected to and supporting said outer section and disposed in inclined relation to said plane of said three parts and extending from said outer section inwardly towards said axis of the column and downwardly towards said base, said three parts of each outer section engaging the element beneath which it is disposed between and spaced from said elongated edges of said element to maintain said narrow spaces unobstructed, means securing said three parts of each arm to its superposed petal-form element for rigidly supporting said element, and means supported on said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and rigidly connected to and supporting said inner sections of said arms at the inner ends thereof.

2. A table as defined in claim 1 in which said means supported on the column comprises a hub secured to said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and integral with each of said inner sections of said arms adjacent the inner ends thereof to form with said inner and outer sections a rigid spider.

3. A table as defined in claim 1 in which each outer section of said arms has two branches extending in angular relation to each other outwardly from and rigidly connected to the outer end of said inner section of said arm, said branches respectively providing adjacent their outer ends said outwardly disposed parts of said outer section of said arm, said third inwardly disposed part of said outer section being disposed adjacent the junction of said two branches with said inner inclined section of said arm.

4. A table having a base, a column supported by said base with the axis of the column extending upwardly from said base, a plurality of separate petal-form elements disposed adjacent the upper portion of the column with their elongated petal defining edges extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, said elements being disposed in successively adjacent relation to each other about said axis to form an assembly as a table top, each of said petal-form elements of said assembly along its elongated edges being separated from the adjacent petal-form elements by narrow unobstructed spaces extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, a plurality of members for each petal-form element extending outwardly from and rigidly secured to said column at the inner ends of said members, said members for each element extending beneath the superposed petal-form element in inclined relation thereto and being rigidly connected at their outer ends to a plate disposed beneath and engaging said superposed petal-form element between and spaced from said elongated edges thereof to maintain said narrow spaces unobstructed, said plate providing two parts outwardly disposed with respect to and spaced about said axis of said column respectively in supporting engagement with two portions of the superposed petal-form element that are spaced about and disposed outwardly with respect to said axis, said plate providing a third part spaced inwardly of said two parts toward said axis and in support 8 ing engagement with a portion of the superposed petaliorm element inwardly disposed towards said axis with respect to said two outwardly disposed portions, and means securing said three parts of said plate to its superposed petal-form element for rigidly supporting said elements on said column.

5. A table as defined in claim 1 in which the radial extent of said petal-form elements is less than the radius from the axis of the column to the peripherally disposed edge of said elements to provide a central hole generally coaxial with the axis of the column.

6. A table as defined in claim 1 in which each of said petal-form elements includes a portion extending inwardly towards the axis of the column from said outer sution of said arm and upwardly spaced from the upper edge of said inner inclined section of said arm.

7. A table having a base, a column supported by said base with the axis of the column extending upwardly from said base, a plurality of separate petal-form elements disposed adjacent the upper portion of the column with their elongated petal defining edges extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, said elements being disposed in successively adjacent relation to each other about said axis to form an assembly as a table top, each of said petal-form elements of said assembly along its elongated edges being separated from the adjacent petal-form elements by narrow unobstructed spaces extending generally radially transversely of said axis of the column, arms respectively disposed beneath the respective petal-form elements in said assembly, each of said arms comprising an outer section providing two parts spaced about said axis and a third part spaced generally radially of said two parts with respect to said axis, said three parts of said outer section being disposed generally in a plane transverse to said axis of said column, each of said arms also providing an inner section rigidly connected to and supporting said outer section and extending from said outer section inwardly toward said axis of the column to a location adjacent the column spaced downwardly from said petalform elements to leave an unobstructed space between the inner portions of said elements and said inner sec tions, said three parts of each outer section engaging the element beneath which it is disposed between and spaced from said elongated edges of said element to maintain said narrow spaces unobstructed, means securing said three parts of each arm to its superposed petal-form element for rigidly supporting said element, and means sup ported on said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and rigidly connected to and supporting said inner sections of said arms adjacent said location.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 609,592 Schultz Aug. 23, 1898 786,732 Crandall Apr. 4, 1905 1,624,770 Stuart Apr. 12, 1927 2,162,298 Dailey June 13, 1939 2,456,480 Austin Dec. 14, 1948 2,604,932 Leggett July 29, 1952 2,981,578 Saarinen Apr. 25, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,624 Switzerland Oct. 12, 1896 273,666 Switzerland Feb. 28, 1951 132,268 Sweden July 10, 1951 1,198,615 France June 15, 1959 1,212,700 France Mar. 25, 1960 

1. A TABLE HAVING A BASE, A COLUMN SUPPORTED BY SAID BASE WITH THE AXIS OF THE COLUMN EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE PETAL-FORM ELEMENTS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE UPPER PORTIONS OF THE COLUMN WITH THEIR ELONGATED PETAL DEFINING EDGES EXTENDING GENERALLY RADIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID AXIS OF THE COLUMN, SAID ELEMENTS BEING DISPOSED IN SUCCESSIVELY ADJACENT RELATION TO EACH OTHER ABOUT SAID AXIS TO FORM AN ASSEMBLY AS A TABLE TOP, EACH OF SAID PETAL-FORM ELEMENTS OF SAID ASSEMBLY ALONG ITS ELONGATED EDGES BEING SEPARATED FROM THE ADJACENT PETAL-FORM ELEMENTS BY NARROW UNOBSTRUCTED SPACES EXTENDING GENERALLY RADIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID AXIS OF THE COLUMN, ARM RESPECTIVELY DISPOSED BENEATH THE RESPECTIVE PETAL-FORM ELEMENTS IN SAID ASSEMBLY, EACH OF SAID ARM COMPRISING AN OUTER SECTION PROVIDING TWO OUTWARDLY DISPOSED PARTS SPACED ABOUT SAID AXIS AND A THIRD PART SPACED INWARDLY OF SAID TWO PARTS TOWARDS 